Lutherville-based Celebree School, which runs 26 early childhood education centers in Maryland and Delaware, plans to grow through a franchise business model and is looking for operators to open new schools in Maryland and eight other states.

The business is offering franchises in Maryland, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The education firm, previously known as Celebree Learning Centers, was founded in 1994 by CEO Richard Huffman.

“We look forward to bringing our mission of protecting, educating and nurturing children to additional communities and guiding entrepreneurs as they realize their potential,” Huffman said in an announcement Thursday.

Celebree will continue to own and operate its existing school locations, mostly in Maryland. Celebree Enterprises, a new arm of the businesses, will help develop and support new franchise operations.

The school’s programs follow state guidelines and use a curriculum emphasizing the physical, social, emotional and academic needs of children in classroom settings geared for infants, toddlers, pre-school, kindergarten and school-aged children. Schools serve students ranging in age from six-weeks to school age and offer childcare, before and after-school programs and summer camps.

Huffman started the business with the help of his mother, who worked in early childhood education.

CAPTION

The Amazon warehouse in Baltimore offers people an opportunity to see the business in action with a tour of the facility. (Jerry Jackson, Baltimore Sun video)

The Amazon warehouse in Baltimore offers people an opportunity to see the business in action with a tour of the facility. (Jerry Jackson, Baltimore Sun video)

CAPTION

Brian McComas, owner of Ryleigh’s Oyster in Federal Hill and Hunt Valley, apologized Monday for tweets he made over the weekend.

Brian McComas, owner of Ryleigh’s Oyster in Federal Hill and Hunt Valley, apologized Monday for tweets he made over the weekend.